Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John

Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John is the author of the timely book I am Still Your Negro An Homage to James Baldwin, a Black Buddhist response to what has been happening in the world. They are also the award-winning author of ten books, including Detox Your Heart – Meditations for Emotional Trauma, and Eight Step Recovery Using the Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction.

They were raised in white foster homes and white orphanages, and have inevitably had to straddle the world of their Black African descent Heritage, with their early white childhood conditioning.

They are a public speaker and have recently spoken on the themes of the Trauma of the Black Body and moderated a panel on Is Racism an Addiction, and The Codependency of Racism.

Vimalasara is a senior teacher in the Triratna Buddhist community and is chair of Vancouver Buddhist Centre. They are also co-founder of Healing and Insight and is a teacher on Worldwide Insight. www.valeriemason-john.com